Visible index



y 12, 1932- R. FITZ POWER 1,867,471

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Jul 12, 1932. R. FITZPOWER I 1,867,471

VISIBLE INDEX Filed Aug. 16, 1950 5 Sheelts-Sheet 3 767538 39m 40 4; saw 3a 39 7940 g 7576 .INVENTUE F/a'mnw. F7 Pawen.

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Patented July 12, 1932 warren si-A sPATENr opt-ice nicirann FITZ rownn, or. HAMPSTEAR'LONDON, ENGLAND; AssIGn'on'ro raonimnn AND IMPEY nrmrrnn, or non'rnnrnnn, BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND VISIBLE INDEX Application filed August 16, 1930, SerialNo. 475,8 14, ai1d, in Great Britain September 28, 1929.

p This invention relates to visible indexes and has more especial reference to vertical visible indexes of strip form, although also applicable to visible card indexes.

The main'object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive assembly, the components of which will be secured when positioned, while being readily removable and replaceable when required.

A second object is'to ensure the correct alignment of the assembled elements of the index, at the same time preventing any possibility of objectionable overlap hitherto present.

Further and favourable objects will. appear from the following description.

Essentially the invention'includes a strip of material preferably stout paper or cardboard, from either side of which project lugs having one or more lateral projections, these lugs engaging retaining members on the index base so as to secure the strip in position.

When applied to strip indexes sucha strip carries the index matter and conveniently has a pair of T-shaped lugs symmetrically located on its lower edge and three lugs on its upper edge, the central lug being T-shaped and the two end lugs havinginward projections, the laterally projecting portions of all the lugs being arranged to engage under vertical re-v taining members, say in the form of ribands on the index base. p v

An interlocking assembly is thus obtained on a plurality of the strips being mounted on a common base and several strips can be as-' sembled uniformly in immediate contact with each other, the upper central T-shaped lug of one strip lying under the strip next above and the two lower T-shaped lugs of the second mentioned strip lying under the first strip so that an interlocking assembly is obtained and positive alignment of the cards assured.

To facilitate manipulation theends of the strip and the edges of the lugs are preferably curved, and in order that entries may be made on; the strips in a typewriterthe strip width is based on the customary typewriter spacing, corresponding say to double or treble typewriter spacing, according to the amount of index matter which it is required'to include on the strip. 7 V W In order that typing on the strip may be simplified a typingv sheet can be provided having vertical slots arranged to accommodate the lugs on a strip or a number'of strips 7 which are thus secured to the s'heet,,and the sheet can then be inserted in a typewriter in the ordinary fashion and the desired matter typed on the index strips.

The index strips may be punchedinquantities from stout paper orcard, preferably the punches are not completed in order that a number of strips canbe sold as an integer and inserted direct into a typewriter for the impression on the stripsof the required index matter. 7

When applied to a visible card index the index cards can be attached to the strips say by adhesive or by the T-shaped lugs on the strips passing through slots in the cards, or the supported edge of the card may be arranged with the T-shaped lugs forming the essence of the invention. With either arrangement a cheap and efficient construction is attained which does not require a rigid support or base,-an ordinary sheet of stout paper or card having slots for engagement by the T-shaped lugs being adequate forthe purpose and being reinforced transversely by I the index strips.

The arrangements according to the invention lend themselves readily to the assembly of a plurality of visible indexes in book form owing to their small overall thickness, al-

though preferably the assembled units of the index are raised somewhat from the base to facilitate manipulation.

Reference will now be had to the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention by way of example, and in which Fig. 1 illustrates astrip according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a typing sheet for holding strips while passing through a typewriter.

Fig. 3 shows a holding sheet proper in the form of a looseleaf of a book. V

Figs. 4-9 are end views of several arrange- I ments for mounting a card on an indexstrip. Fig. 4 shows a'strip arranged as a holder for use on a typewriter.

for an index sheet or card attached to it by adhesive.

F ig. shows a construction in which T- shaped lugs according to the invention are pressed out from the card.

Fig. 6 illustrates a combination of the ar rangements shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

Fig. 7 shows an index holder combined with a double index sheet llZLVlIlQ slits along its sheet as shown in Fig. mounted on the,

index holdingstrip.

F'g. 12 illustrates amethod of manufac turing the index strips or holders in a form suit'able for typing entries thereon in a typewriter. v V V Fig. 13 is another form of. a sheet adapted Fig. 14 shows a face view of the strip as a holder integrally attached to an index car as in Fig. 5. Y

Figs. 15-22 are views of several arrangements of an index in book form;

Fig. 15 shows'an index in book form with a-distancing support frame carryin gthe holding ribands for the strips, mounted on each cover. I

Fig. 16 is a section on the line A-A of Fig. 15.

' Fig. 17 shows an indexin book form" including a distancing support frame with ribandson both sides thereof, the frame being hinged to the covers "to form a single Fig. 18 is a section on the lineBB page of the device shown in Fig..17.

ofa

' 19 illustrates a form of the invention in which a collapsible distancing support frame is mounted on each cover. V 1 Fig.20 is another construction of the form shown in Fig. 19. 7 v

Fig; 21 is a vertical section through the covers shown in Fig. 19 shown open; and

Fig. 22 is a vertical section through the same shown closed. j 7 7 Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 isfa'face 'view of rabout full size of a strip, or holder, havingthe body portion 1 preferably of such a. depth from top to bottom as tofcorrespond with the standard spacing of an 'ordlnary typewriter when a series of these are put together. Along the top edge of the strip 1 the lugs 2, 3 with thesingle horns 4, 5 and a central lug 6 with double horns '7, 8. while on the lower-edge are two lugs 10,11fthe former with the double horns 12, 1'3, and the "latter with the double horns 14, 15.,

It will be noted that the lugs with their horns or projections are alternately arranged or in staggered relation on the two longtudinal edges of the strip or body portion 1.

The ends of these strips are preferably rounded as shown, but may be square where desired.

I Fig. 2 illustrates a typing sheet. This consists ofan ordinary sheet of paper formed with aseries of slots or spaces21, 22', 23, 24,

the strip 1, consequently the'main part of the edges ofthe strips land 9 abutagainst each other while the lugs 10, 11 of 1 underlie the strip 9'sothat it cannot ride up on the strip 1.

The sheet 20 may be threaded until strips occupy the whole length'of a slot such as 21, it being noted that the slots 21 and 25 are narrower than the slots 22, 23, 2 1 in order that the side strips 18, 19 of the sheet may overlie the ends of the series of strips.

When full, or partiallyfull, this sheet 20 may be placed in a typewriter and any entries needed to be written on the several strips maybe typed thereon in precisely the same way as. in taking any other sheet through a typewriter, it being important to note that the width of the strip is made. to suit the standard spacing mechanism of'the typewriter-so that movement from one strip to the next corresponds-to movlng a paper sheet for one, two, or three spacing, or the like,

as may be desired; the strips 1, 9, 17 and the like are madewith one space depth, two space depth, and soon. i

Fig. 3 shows a holding sheet, and as illustrating the point just noted the top strip 31 is wider than'the adjoining strip 32 in order that it may have more lines than one typed thereon, but so that the spacing mechanism of a type writer bringsthe body portion of the strip 32 to correct position for typing when reached.

face, asinFig. 2, but preferably these slot-s are cut from a second strip 36 mounted by fixing its connecting end portions36, 37 to the back sheet 30.

The strips 31, 32 are mounted in the slots 33, 34, 35 precisely as shown in Fig.2, except I that the ends of the strips in this case do not need a slot for engaging them, as they arenot expected to pass'throu'gh' a typewriter after insertion in the index 30. As in Fig. 2 the chorus of thelugs arelengaged, thus preventing one strip from riding up'o'r overlapping the typed matter.

. quired, a folded margin 47 only need be pro? the next as regards its body portionc'arrying A-series of these sheets may be mount ed in book form either loose-leaf or otherwise, and form a most advantageous visible index of small volume. Y

In a modification a central zone of the superimposed ribands 38,39, 40, 41.1nay be attached by adhesive, staples, or the like, to the baclr sheet 30 with a view to stiffening the same, the chain dotted lines as shown along the centre of these ribands being intended to indicate the adhesive.

Figs. 4 to 6 illustrate modifications in which the index strip carries a single sheet.

' In Fig. .4 the sheet 48 is attached by adhesive along its top to the body portionl of a holder strip. g

In Figs; 5 and 14 the sheet 49 is made integral with the strip portion 1, holes being out out therefrom as at to allow of alug such as 10 being enclosed, and so that the sheet along with the holder may lie flat. p i

Fig. 6 is the same structure as Fig. 4, except that the face of the sheet is appliedby adhesive or the liketo cover also the face of aseparate strip 1 including its lugs, and the holes at 50 are cut from the sheet opposite lugs such as 10 on the holder strip.

Fig. 9 shows a sheet 42 with slits 43 in it near and parallel to its upper edge which will be attached to its strip holder by threading the lugs 2, 3, 6 through the slits 43 as shown in Fig. 10 (drawn to 'a somewhat reduced scale).

Referring now to Figs. 7 and 11, a strip 1 is indicate having the lugs 2, 3, 6 (as in Fig. 1) threaded through slits in the fold of a double index sheet 44, 45, the under "sheet 45 being also provided with slits such as 46 through which. the lugs 10, 11 are threaded in order to prevent the sheets 44, 45 riding up 011 the lugs 2, 3 when mounted as one of a series together.

The top sheet 44 is broken away as shown in order to show this lug through the underneath sheet, and it should be understood that, as shown in Fig. 8, if a double sheet is not revided on a single sheet 44 of the lugs 10, 11.

Since, in fact, when a series of holders and sheets are together one cannot ride up on for the reception another on account of the action of the lugs,

it is not absolutely necessary to have the lugs 10,11 threaded through the rear face of the sheet 44, 45, which consequently can be made either with a folded margin similar to 47,

only narrower and not slitted, or as shown in Fig. 10. V

Fig. 12 shows a series of the index strip units such as 1, 9, 17 manufactured by stamping separating perforations such as 52 from and with easily broken detachment sections such as 53,54, 55, between the several'strip units. 1

The units are arranged with the writingreceiving portion at a standard spacing (or multiple spacing) distance apart from each other as found on the normal typewriter; succeeding stripsorreco-rds can thus be typed by advancing the sheets, line by line, ina

typewriter in the usual way; by. having lugs such as 10, 11 cut from an otherwise empty perforation such as'52 a considerable saving in material is effected, and a better rigidity of the sheet is present when used for such purposes as typing on a typewriter.

Incidentally, some part of this rigidity is obtained by reason of the detachment sections being located on an irregular line such as XY.

To improve this rigidity in passing through a typewriter the sheet may advantageously be completed with a border such as 57, particularly along the sides. i

In practicesuch a-she'et might be in the form of a long'belt or band which would even pass over a roller coming from a wall or other support in order. that any particular unit of the series may easily reach typing position in a typewriter.

Referring to Fig. 13 it will be seen that it is substantially the same as Fig. 12' except that the side marginal edges 57 are omitted, and the detachment sections such as 58 are shown at the ends of a lug such as 59 in order distancing support frames which raise the ribands from the covers being so that the fingers-of an operator desiring to detach a strip, 2

such as 17, may have the space behind the ribands available for the fingers in order to facilitate the detachment.

This will be evident by referring to Fig. 16, which illustrates the amount of space beneath the riband's available for this purpose. In Figs, 17 and 18 a similar construction to thatshown in Fig. 15 is illustrated, except that theframes' 60 are not mounted as one with the covers '61, but instead, separate frames 73 (corresponding to the frames '60) are employed,the said frames being hinged at 62a to the hinge'connection 62 of the covers 61; each frame 73 carries two sets of ribands, one set such as 38, 39, 40, 41 being attached to'the one side ofthe frame, and a'further set such as-64, 65, 66, 67 being secured t0 the opposite side of theframe, The two sets are shown clearly in Fig. 18 with the frame 73 between them.

In Fig. 17 the seriesof strips such as 1,9, 17 are kept in 'placewhen the index is full by the sliding plate 70. This plate has recesses 71, across which are depressed strips of the material cut sothat they will slide under; neath the ribands'such as 41, and will slide thereon so that the plate70 will fill the clearance space needed at the base of anindex to allow of the individual index strips being movable for substitution, or otherwise.

Such a plate 70 may advantageously be provided with depressed portions 72, which will catch on the lower inner edge of the frame or v73 when in operative position when the index is full.

It may be noted that the plate can be drawn over the lower edge of the frame,,-as shown by the position oftheplate 7 O on the left ofFig. 17. V

The plates 74 at the upper end of the frames are the usual hinged plates for writing a card uponwhen taken from afile.

Figs. 1922 show two arrangements of ink dex in book form in which the necessary space underneath the ribands is obtained by collapsible distancing support frames so that the index closes into a minimum amount 012' space. In Fig. 19, each frame comprises distance pieces such as 75, which are cut from a layer 76 of cardboard or other material of suitable flexibility, and stiffness forming part of a cover 61; The distance pieces such as leave recesses 7 7 in the layer 76, these recesses being'occupied by the distance pieces 75 when the index is closed.

The ribands 38, 39, 40, 41 are laid across the distance pieces 75 and are attached to end pieces 78, 7 9, which are secured either by ad.- hesive or by fixing blocks 81, to the upper surface of a raising'member 80 fixed to the cover hinge 82.. The distance between the upper surface of the member 80 and the cover hinge 82 is such thatwhen the index is closed, the end pieces 78, 79, are moved sideways relatively to-thecovers 61, thus causing thedistance pieces 7 5 to move into the recesses 77.

Fig. 21 shows the index open flat in operative position for the insertion of index strips, or holders, and Fig; 22 shows the same index closed up to occupy a minimum amount of thickness; when such is of importance.

Fig. 20 is -a modification showing a construction such as in Fig. 19 carried outin metal. In this case the ribands 38, '39. 40, 41 are attached to bars suchas 83,84, which in turn are connected bythehinge pin 85 to the raised hinge barrel 86; the distance pieces connecting the riband frames'38, 88, 41 to-the cover 61aare formed in this case by means of cranked wires suchlas 87; hingedas shown at 1 88 to the cover 61a at a plurality of points,

and hinged again at points such as 89 to the ribands 38 to 41. r v

The main hinge of the book is constructed by means of doublehinge pins '90, 91, with I When the covers 61a areclosed together 7 the action of the hinge 86 leads to the closing of cranks such as 87 against the covers,jand

thus again a minimum amount of space is- 7 required when the index is closed.

It will be understood that the ribands hold a series of index strips such as 1, or a-series of index cardssuch as are shown in Fig. 15, but in either case the cover is enabled tohold flat with only the thickness of the cards separating them. 7

In its simplest form. an index according to this invention is only the thickness of two layers of sheets, and though in consequence readily flexible, thereis no tendency for the strips to mount one upon another.

Also'by the use, of this invention a very easy method of extracting or replacing a strip ,in the index concerned is available.

lVhilst," above, preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 1

WVhat I claim is 1. An index strip provided with a plurality of lugs projecting from'both longitudinal edges of the strip in staggered relation and 8 each lug formed with one or more lateral project-ions adapted to engage underholding ribands for securing the strip thereto, the lugs permitting the strip to be secured in close juxtaposed relation with another strip without overlapping therewith.

2. An index strip provided with a plurality of lugs projecting from both longitudinal edges of the strip in staggered relation and each lug formed with one or more lateral. ro jections adapted to engage under 1101 ing -ribands for securing thestrip thereto, the

lugs permitting the stripto be secured in close juxtaposed relation with another strip without overlapping therewith, and the width of the strip being arranged to correspond sub- ]stantiaily to the normal typewriter spacing,

whereby entries may be readily made on a plurality of juxtaposed strips in a typewriter.

3. An index stripprovided with three proecting lugs arranged-in spaced relation along one longitudinal edge and a pair, of projecting'lugs intermediately disposed with respect to the other lugsalong the other longitudinal edge, eachof the lugs being formed with one or. more lateral projections. adapted to en. gage under holding ribands for securing the strip. thereto, whereby a strip may be secured in close juxtaposed relation with another strip without overlapping therewith.

4. An index strip provided at each end with a lug projecting from one longitudinal edge, and at least one intermediate lug projecting from the other longitudinal edge, the endlugs being formed with inturned lateral projections and the intermediate lug having a pair of oppositely disposed lateral projections, whereby the strip may be secured to holding ribands and in close juxtaposed relation with another strip without overlapping.

5. An index strip provided with at least three lugs projecting from one longitudinal edge, one of said lugs being disposed at each end of the strip, and a plurality of lugs projecting from the other longitudinal edge arranged in staggered relation to the first-mentioned lugs, the end lugs being formed with inturned lateral projections, and the remain ing lugs each having a pair of oppositely disposed lateral projections, whereby the strip may be secured to holding ribands and in close juxtaposed relation with another strip without overlapping.

6. A methodof producing index strips consisting in partially slotting a sheet to provide a plurality of uxtaposed index strips, each strip having lugs wih lateral projections on their opposite lon itudinal edges, and in separating the index portion of the. several index strips by a distance equivalent to the normal typewriter spacing, whereby entries may be readily made on the index'strips prior to their detachment from the sheet for insertion in an index.

7. In combination, a plurality of index strips provided with a plurality of lugs on =1; both longitudinal edges of the strip. said lugs on the two sides being in staggered relation, and each lug formed with lateral projections, and a support sheet carrying a plurality of spaced-apart holding ribands, the lateral pro- 1 jections on the lugs engaging under the holding ribands to secure the several strips thereto and the lugs constituting means whereby the strips may be held in close juxtaposed relation without'overlapping.

8. In combination, a plurality of index strips each provided with a plurality of lugs on both longitudinal side edges of the strip, said lugs onI the two sides being in staggered relation and each lug formed with one or more lateral projections, and a support sheet carrying a plurality of spacedapart holding ribands, the lateral projections on the lugs engaging under the holding ribands to secure the several strips thereto and the lugs constitutin means whereby p C; v

the strips may be held in close juxtaposed relation without overlapping, and means at one edge of the support sheet for enabling the sheet to be secured in a binder.

9. A strip index in book form comprising index strips each provided with a plurality of lugs on both longitudinal edges of the strip, 'saidlugs on the two sides being in staggeredrelation and each lug formed with one or more lateralprojections, a folder comprising a pair of hinged covers, and a distancing support frame'for the strips mounted between the covers and carrying spacedapart holding ribands secured'between two opposite edges of "the frame, the lateral pro jections on the'lugs of the strips being engaged-under thelribands,lwhereby manipulation of thestrips islfacilit'ated.

10. A strip index in book form comprising index strips each provided with a plurality of lugs on both longitudinal edges of the strip, said lugs on the two sides being in staggered relation and each lug formed with one or more lateral projections, and afolder comprising a pair of hinged covers, a distancing support frame for the strips mounted on each cover, the frames each carrying spaced-apart holding ribands secured between two opposite edges of the frame so as staggered relation and each lug formed with one or more lateral projections, a folder comprising a pair of hinged covers, a distancing support frame for the strips mounted between the covers and carrying spaced-' 7 apart holdingribands secured betweentwo opposite edges, of the frame, the lateral projections on the lugs of the strips being engaged under the ribands, and a rigid plate mounted for adjustment on the said ribands to facilitate removal of anyindex strip while being locatableto secure the index strips in proper position.

12. A strip index in book form comprising index strips each provided with a plurality of lugs on both longitudinal edges of the strip, said lugson the two sides being in staggered relation and each lug formed with one or more lateral projections, a folder comprising a pair of hinged covers, a collapsible distancing support frame for the strips mounted on each cover, the frames each carrying spaced-apart holding ribands secured between opposite edges of the frame, under I which ribands the lateral projections on the lugs of the strips are engaged, and means operable automatically on the covers being opened to actuate the distancing frames so' I L 67g 71 vided with a plurality of lugsv on both longitudinal edges of the strip, said lugs on' the two sides being, in staggered relation and each lug formed with one or'niore lateral projections adapted to engage under holding ribands for securing the-stripv thereto, the lugs permitting the: strip to be securedin close juxtaposed relation with another strip without overlapping, and an index card mounted on the strip. wherebyv the strip is adapted for use, asa holder for the card.

In' testimony. whereof I afiix :my signature;

' RICHARD FITZI POWER. 

